The National Bank of Ukraine has proposed to finally withdraw 10-kopeck coins from cash circulation. If the decision is adopted, from February 1, 2027, such coins will no longer be used to pay for goods and services in shops, markets or public transport.
At the same time, the NBU emphasized that the coins will not become useless: owners will be able to exchange them for banknotes or coins of other denominations free of charge. That is, the money lying in the pockets or forgotten in the pockets will not burn - it will just need to be brought to the bank and exchanged for cash, which can then be used as usual.
Why exactly 10 kopecks
This is a logical step in the long history of simplification of hryvnia cash. Back in 2019, the National Bank had already removed coins with denominations of 1, 2 and 5 kopecks from circulation, after which the rounding of prices to the nearest 10 kopecks took root in trade. Since then, the ten-kopeck coin has actually become the smallest unit of account - but even it rarely takes part in real calculations, because most prices are already rounded up to 50 kopecks or hryvnias.
In addition, the production of small coins costs more than their face value, and due to inflation, their purchasing power becomes minimal. Rejection of 10 kopecks will allow the NBU to reduce the costs of minting and maintenance of cash circulation, and for ordinary Ukrainians, the habit of rounding amounts when paying in cash will change.
There is still time before the decision comes into effect, so you should not rush to exchange coins - the main thing is to remember that after February 1, 2027, it will no longer be possible to pay with ten-kopeck coins at the cash register, and exchange for banknotes or other coins will remain available in banks.
